Best Avery County Grants for Nonprofits in North Carolina

About Us

The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Additionally, our executive branch agency administers the state’s economic incentives program and publishes data, statistics, information and reports for those interested in our state’s economy.

Marketing North Carolina as a business and visitor destination is another function of the Department, and to handle this work we contract services from the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), a public-private organization established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2014.

North Carolina Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - Demolition Program

Local governments can apply for funding to support demolition projects that result in industrial or commercial sites, using grant funds under the Community Development Block Grant program's Economic Development (ED) category.

Our department holds administrative responsibility for the CDBG program in North Carolina. Our Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) administers the CDBG-ED funds. State rules related to the CDBG program can be found in the North Carolina Administrative Code 4 NCAC 19L and specific ED rules are found at 4 NCAC 1K. Federal funds are made available annually through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Purpose

Under the authority of Title I of the U. S. Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (as amended), the CDBG demolition program in North Carolina is designed to demolish vacant dilapidated industrial buildings and properties under the elimination of slums and blight national objective. The demolition activity is expected to create a site at which it can reasonably be expected new jobs and private sector investment will locate. Since the demolition activity is qualified under the slums and blight national objective, new job creation with a private employer does not require a legally binding contract. Jobs creation during the demolition phase of the grant should be collected for CDBG reporting purposes.

The Clabough Foundation provides Avery County, North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public entities with grants of US $1,000 - US $15,000 for social services, community-based programs, arts and culture, education, and environmental stewardship. Eligible organizations must serve the High Country area and promote recreational, educational, cultural, environmental, or similar community benefits.

N.C. Forest Service - Timber Loss Relief Program

Program Overview

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture block grant to support Hurricane Helene recovery. Part of these disaster recovery funds will be administered by the N.C. Forest Service through a new Timber Loss Relief Program (TLRP). TLRP funds will be used to partially compensate eligible woodland owners for the value of timber loss as a result of Hurricane Helene. 

The Women's Fund of the Blue Ridge Grant supports non-profit organizations that enhance the lives of women and girls in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties. With over $2.1 million awarded since inception, the fund promotes education, health, and empowerment through its grant cycles. Awards typically range from $1,500 to $15,000, focusing on projects that demonstrate collaboration and sustainability. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and community service entities that respect inclusivity and do not discriminate.

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative aims to revitalize communities impacted by coal industry transitions. This initiative provides funding for projects that diversify local economies, enhance job training, and create new employment opportunities. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the POWER Initiative supports strategic investments that align with regional economic development plans, ensuring a more resilient future for coal-affected areas.

501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on environmental conservation in Avery County, North Carolina can apply for funding from the Harold T Southern Family Foundation. The foundation supports conservation efforts of organizations primarily located in Western North Carolina, including work to protect lands, parks, forests, and waters for healthier communities and future generations.

The North Carolina Appalachian Regional Commission Funds support economic development across 13 states, focusing on infrastructure, workforce, and community resilience. Administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the program prioritizes projects that enhance local economies, particularly in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Funding caps are set at $700,000 for construction and $300,000 for non-construction projects, with special considerations for distressed counties and workforce development initiatives.

The Environmental Initiative Grant Program by the Laura Jane Musser Fund aims to support public and nonprofit entities in enhancing the ecological integrity of open spaces. It promotes community involvement in planning and implementing projects that improve quality of life and public health while protecting ecosystems. Grants range from $8,000 for planning to $35,000 for implementation, targeting projects in specific states, fostering sustainability, and ensuring active local participation.

Nonprofit health care, education, and social service organizations serving economically poor women, children, and elderly in Avery County, North Carolina can seek funding for operating support or specific programs that improve quality of life. Sisters of Mercy values collaborative, multicultural, evidence-based efforts that reach unserved or underserved populations and demonstrate or move toward self-sufficiency.

Creating a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all – no exceptions.

The best ideas for dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of the region come from the people who live and work in our local communities. 

Dogwood invests in aligned organizations that advance efforts in our four strategic priorities of housing, education, economic opportunity, and health & wellness. 

From 2025-2030, Dogwood’s grantmaking will focus on: 

• Capacity
• Collaboration
• Connections
• Capital Attraction

Stronger Organizations Grants

Supporting Organizational Operations, Infrastructure and Stability.

This grant opportunity offers flexible support for strategically aligned organizations that play a meaningful role in the region’s ecosystem through work in housing, education, economic opportunity, and health & wellness; and that are positioned to sustain and grow their impact over time. Organizations determine how best to use the funds and grant reporting is simplified. Most often, these grants are in the form of general operating support.

Grants typically range from $50,000 to $350,000 per year for up to two years. For two-year grants, the total award may range up to a maximum of $700,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments in Avery County, North Carolina can access funding to plan or implement collaborative rural community projects, including economic development, arts, education, and public space improvements. The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers up to US $25,000 for new initiatives with strong local support, volunteer engagement, and measurable outcomes within 18 months.

The Human Services and Education Grant, offered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, provides up to $25,000 to support programs addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and educational initiatives. Grants aim to enhance early childhood development, K-12 education, and adult learning opportunities. Eligible organizations must serve specific WNC counties and demonstrate sustainability. However, the fund does not cover general operating expenses or support for capital projects. This grant cycle encourages impactful community-focused projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments in Avery County, North Carolina can seek funding to implement projects that restore and protect publicly owned open spaces while encouraging community use. With a mission to enhance ecological integrity, the Laura Jane Musser Fund provides up to US $35,000 for habitat restoration, land conservation, and park or public space improvements with strong local participation.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - North Carolina

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Artist Support Grants

What are Artist Support Grants?

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Avery, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey Counties

Grant Range:

• $250 - $1,000

Folk and traditional artists in Avery County, North Carolina can receive US $3,000 - US $7,000 to support 12‑month mentor–apprentice training in Appalachian folklife. The North Carolina Arts Council’s Folklife Apprenticeship Program funds teams of mentor artists and one or more apprentices to preserve and transmit community-based cultural practices.

Avery County, North Carolina nonprofits and community organizations working on technology access and digital literacy can access funding through Dogwood Health Trust to expand high-speed internet availability, affordability, and use. Grants of US $20,000 - US $500,000 support device distribution, digital skills training, telehealth access, and participation in the WNC Digital Navigator Network.

Nonprofits, government entities, and state-recognized charities in Avery County, North Carolina can seek funding for firearms safety, shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship programs. With a mission to promote safe and educational firearms activities, The NRA Foundation supports public-benefit programs, including youth education, training ammunition, and research that enhance community safety and shooting facilities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Western North Carolina residents with social services, education, or environmental, cultural, or animal welfare programs in Avery County, North Carolina can apply for Walnut Cove Members Association grants of US $10,000 - US $25,000. Funding can support project-related salaries, scholarships, and necessary equipment, with a WCMA member sponsor required.

The Dewey Wells Citizenship Fund, established by Judge Dewey Wells at the North Carolina Community Foundation, aims to promote good citizenship and character among the youth of Avery County. This Endowment supports organizations that instill values such as honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local governments, with a focus on providing programs for youth from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and community benefit.

The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) supports the Reproductive Health & Justice Grant Program to enhance access to abortion and contraception throughout the U.S., particularly in Appalachia, Alabama, and Florida. EFA funds innovative organizations that advocate for reproductive rights, provide direct support to abortion services, and leverage impact investing strategies. This commitment aims to ensure reproductive freedom, foster equity, and promote sustainability in underserved communities.

State and local agencies, local governing boards, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and higher education institutions in Avery County, North Carolina can seek funding for critical infrastructure and business and workforce development projects. With a mission to strengthen Appalachia’s economy, Appalachian Regional Commission provides support for water and wastewater systems, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, and worker training across eligible Appalachian counties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Avery County, North Carolina can receive up to US $20,000 for community and environmental initiatives. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Duke Energy Foundation supports workforce development, climate resiliency, STEM education, economic recovery, and opportunity and inclusion programs in Duke Energy–served areas across North Carolina.

The NC Sheriffs Association Undergraduate Criminal Justice Scholarship provides $2,000 annually to North Carolina residents pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Eligible students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours and express interest in law enforcement careers. Recipients are prioritized based on their familial connections to law enforcement. This scholarship is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority for UNC System students and by NC Independent Colleges and Universities for private institutions.

Gantt-McColl Scholarship Fund

In honor of Harvey Gantt and Hugh McColl, UNCF established the Gantt-McColl Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance in an annually renewable, need-based scholarship to students who are permanent residents of North Carolina to get to and through college.

Individual Award

• Up to $30,000 over 4-Years ($7,500) per school year

Early Talent Opportunity Program

The UNCF Early Talent Opportunity Program (ETOP) is a summer experience comprised of workshops and individual sessions designed to offer customized support for undergraduate college students who are interested in securing a valuable internship experience.

The UNCF Early Talent Opportunity Program (ETOP) is a FREE summer experience comprised of a series of workshops and individual career coaching designed to offer personalized support for rising college sophomores and juniors who are interested in securing an internship for the following summer. Over 5 weeks, students participate in 1 hour 15-minute virtual workshops designed to take a deeper dive into specific topics for career development and student success. 

Early Career Talent Development General Application

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) Department works closely with some of the nation’s leading corporations and foundations to shape and execute internship programs, including both stand-alone internship programs and internship-and-scholarship programs

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) Department works closely with some of the nation’s leading corporations and foundations to shape and execute internship programs, including both stand-alone internship programs and internship-and-scholarship programs with two goals – 

• To help companies build a more diverse workforce; 
• To provide diverse students with the preparation they need to succeed in college, familiarize themselves with professional career paths, and prepare to be competitive candidates for internships and future employers after graduation.

UNCF’s SPDP partners include The Walt Disney Company, Toyota, Papa Johns, United Health Foundation, Wells Fargo, and the Walton Family Foundation. We currently serve over 1500 students annually through internship, leadership, and professional development services.

The UNCF Student Professional Development Programs (SPDP) offer career readiness, success coaching, and paid summer and semester internships to college students. Students participating in SPDP will be exposed to career pathways and opportunities and have access to leadership and personal development training. 

SPDP students will:

• Prepare to navigate from college to early-stage careers
• Enhance professional experiences through meaningful internships
• Develop stronger project management skills
• Improve networking and communication skills
• Strengthen interviewing techniques 

Currently, the SPDP is sourcing candidates to fill for summer 2026 internships!! The Early Career Talent Development General Application is used to establish an applicant pool of potentially eligible students for these ongoing internship/student professional development opportunities that are published/unpublished. Internship or professional development opportunities using the Early Career Talent Development General Application, are restricted to students who are enrolled full time at an accredited institution within the U.S. during the 2025-2026 academic year.